Biden tells Ukrainian leaders US stands with them

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden addresses members of the Ukrainian parliament during a meeting Tuesday, April 22, 21014 in Kiev. Biden’s visit to Ukraine comes at a crucial time, days after an international agreement was reached aimed at quelling violence in Ukraine. AP

KIEV, Ukraine—Vice President Joe Biden told Ukrainian political leaders Tuesday that the United States stands with them against “humiliating threats” and encouraged them to root out corruption as they rebuild their government.

In the most high-level visit of a U.S. official since crisis erupted in Ukraine, Biden told leaders from various political parties that he brings a message of support from President Barack Obama as they face a historic opportunity to usher in reforms.

“The opportunity to generate a united Ukraine, getting it right, is within your grasp,” Biden said. “And we want to be your partner, your friend in the project. And we’re ready to assist.”

Biden spoke to nine Ukrainians in a hearing room with gilded moldings at the parliament, or Rada, as the media looked on. The group included three candidates running for president in the May 25 election—most notably billionaire chocolate magnate and front-runner Petro Poroshenko. Biden told the candidates he hopes that they have more luck than he did in two presidential runs.

Biden also met privately with acting Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov and acting Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk and later planned to meet with democracy activists. After his meetings, Biden plans to announce new technical support to the Ukrainian government for energy and economic reforms.

The vice president’s visit comes at a critical time, days after a tenuous international agreement was reached to de-escalate violence in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russia insurgents oppose the government in Kiev.

“You face very daunting problems and some might say humiliating threats that are taking place indirectly,” Biden said.

He told them the United States is an example of people from different cultures united as one nation, although he said Ukraine has a big difference. “We’re not sitting against a border of another powerful nation,” Biden said.

Biden told the lawmakers a priority for the U.S. is to help them become independent from Russian energy supplies. “Imagine where you’d be today if you were able to tell Russia, ‘Keep your gas,'” Biden said. “It would be a very different world you’d be facing today.”

Biden said they have an historic chance now that former President Viktor Yanukovych has fled the country.

“This is a second opportunity to make good on the original promise made by the Orange Revolution,” Biden said in a reference to 2004 protests that overturned a widely criticized election that had given Yanukovych the presidency. Yanukovych later took office but left the country after violent protests in February.

Biden added, “To be very blunt about it, and this is a delicate thing to say to a group of leaders in their house of parliament, but you have to fight the cancer of corruption that is endemic in your system right now.” He mentioned reforming the courts and finding the right balance of power between the president and Rada.

“I want you to know I do not underestimate the incredible pressure you all are under,” Biden said. “I do not underestimate the challenge that you all face. And I do not underestimate the frustration you must feel when someone like me comes along and says this is a great opportunity for you.”

But he added that the upcoming election may be the most important in the country’s history. “The truth of the matter is your fellow countrymen expect a whole lot of you right now,” he said.

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